What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

In an experiment, the dependent variable is the factor that researchers measure to assess the effects of changes that have been made. It is the outcome of interest, and any changes observed in this variable are considered a response to the manipulation of the independent variable. For example, if a scientist is studying the effect of different amounts of sunlight on plant growth, the growth of the plants would be the dependent variable, as it is what is being observed and measured to determine the impact of sunlight exposure.

This understanding is critical in experimental design because it allows researchers to draw conclusions about the relationship between the independent variable (the factor that is manipulated) and the dependent variable. The measurement of the dependent variable provides essential data that helps in evaluating the hypothesis of the experiment.